(Game 1) / (Game 2)
Widener saw Haverford score the deciding runs on its last at-bat in each game for a 2-1 loss in the opener and 4-3, nine-inning setback in the finale.
The Pride (10-10) in game one opened the scoring in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore Kelsey Shultz (Parker Ford, PA) walked and was sacrificed to second by junior Jamie Schmucker (Holmes, PA). She reached third on a single by senior Katie Mitchell (Drexel Hill, PA) and scored on a groundout from junior Lauren Brubaker (Newtown Square, PA).
But the Fords (9-3) struck for two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Cassandra Searls doubled and Erin Delaney smacked a two-run homer.
Shultz (5-3) again pitched great for Widener, but saw her four-game winning streak snapped and her run of scoreless innings halted at 24 2/3. She allowed two runs and six hits over six innings with three strikeouts and just one walk.
Samantha Fontinell (2-0) got the victory in relief, yielding just a walk over 1 2/3 scoreless frames.
Widener in game two rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh for a 3-3 tie. Junior Steph Connolly (Aston, PA) walked and took second on an illegal pitch. Senior Stephanie Caulford (Vineland, NJ) walked, was lifted by freshman pinch-runner Erica Pacholski (Haddonfield, NJ) and the runners advanced on a groundout from senior Rachel O'Leary (Coatesville, PA).
With runners on second and third, Mitchell lined a two-run double for her fourth hit in six at-bats on the day.
However, the Fords won it in the ninth. Marina Zambrotta was placed on second as per tiebreaker rules and took third on a wild pitch. After two walks and a foul out, Natalie Richman lined a sacrifice fly that plated Zambrotta for the winner.
Searls (2-0) gave up one hit over two scoreless relief innings for the win. Delaney and Candice Smith notched two hits apiece
Belle Mead, NJ junior Kim Dougherty (4-5) surrendered the unearned run and one hit over 4 1/3 relief frames. Junior Caitlin Callahan (Franklin Square, PA) had two hits and senior Krista Cesarine (Ridley Park, PA) ran her hitting streak to five games.
Widener is off until Monday, when it visits Eastern for a 5:00 pm doubleheader.
